http://mmajunkie.comSAN DIEGO – In his first Strikeforce fight since a disappointing draw with Keith Jardine, Gegard Mousasi proved a class above top light-heavyweight prospect Ovince St. Preux.

Mousasi used timely takedowns and effective ground and pound to earn a unanimous-decision victory.

The bout was part of the Showtime-televised main card of “Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Masvidal,” which took place at Valley View Casino Center in San Diego.

Mousasi chopped away with low kicks early in the first round, and he stalked after St. Preux with crisp punches and kicks. After a takedown, Mousasi then unloaded heavy ground and pound before moving to side control and nearly cinching a kimura. St. Preux, though, escaped but ate more punches and elbows from the crucifix position before the round ended.

St. Preux shot early for a takedown in the second round but was taken to the mat with a trip-takedown. Mousasi then stacked him and delivered punches from the top. After a bad standup from the referee, Mousasi absorbed a knee before St. Preux wrestled him to the mat. Mousasi, though, fought his way to back his feet and won another round.

In the final frame, St. Preux fought diligently for a takedown and then moved into the mount position. Mousasi bucked free, powered his way to his feet, and then slung St. Preux across the mat to get his own takedown. After a scramble and minimal work from the top, Mousasi was swept, and St. Preux delivered some elbows but failed to get the finish he needed before the round ended.

In the end, Mousasi got the victory via 29-28 scores.

“I don’t want to make excuses, but I was sick before this fight, and it took away a lot of my conditioning,” he said. “But I’m happy to get the win.”

Mousasi (32-3-2 MMA, 3-1-1 SF) is now 4-0-1 since losing his Strikeforce title to Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal in April 2010. St. Preux (11-5 MMA, 5-1 SF) suffers his first Strikeforce loss and snaps an eight-fight win streak.